MURDER PLOT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23019, 22 April 1938, Page 9

MURDER PLOT

RUMANIAN FASCISTS DOCUMENTARY PROOF 1 1 1 LETTER FROM LEADER STARTLING REVELATIONS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, April 20 The newspapers in Bucharest publish a letter from the leader of the Iron Guard, M. Codreanu—now in gaol on a charge of slander—to M. Stelescu on the eve of tbe assassination of M. Duca, a-former Prime Minister. The letter formulated a plan to assassinate 200 political leaders, including members of the Cabinet. M. Stelescu demurred, but was himself assassinated by M. Codreanu's followers. Arrests continue after the discovery of further arms dumps belonging to Iron Guard organisations. M. Codreanu shot the Prefect of Jassy for his pro-Jewish sympathies. A Deputy for several years, ho was accused of complicity in the assassination of M. Duca, but was acquitted. Two hundred priests are among thoso arrested in connection with the Iron Guard conspiracy, says tlio Bucharest correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. Both the vicar and tho curate of ono Bucharest church are included, causing the cancellation of the Knjstcr service. Many junior Army officers arc also imprisoned. The military and civilian lawyers are ' working as speedily as possible to expedite the trials. It is hoped that many will bo completed before tho end of the week.